Luke Morris relishing latest opportunity with Alpinista

Stuart Walker | 14.08.2022

Luke Morris is full of praise for Alpinista ahead of her run in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday – and thinks it is the perfect place for the five-year-old to complete her Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe preparation.

Sir Mark Prescott’s star mare heads to the Knavesmire looking to extend a six-race winning run.

Following the defection of John and Thady Gosden’s Emily Upjohn, who was missing from the five-day acceptors, she finds herself at the head of the market at 7/4 and the one to beat in the one-mile-four-furlong Group One.

Morris has been aboard Alpinista for all but one of her eight career victories and all of her last six – with the four most recent triumphs all coming at the highest level.

Prescott’s long-time trusted pilot is full of admiration for one of the best horses he has ever ridden, and is confident of a bold showing in Yorkshire which will set Alpinista up perfectly for a trip to the French capital in early October.

Alpinista, Ebor Festival 2022, horse racing

“She’s been flawless throughout her career, to be honest, and seems in great order at home,” said Morris.

“It looks an ideal spot for her at York and she’s finished second in the race in the past. Emily Upjohn was a bit disappointing in the King George so it wasn’t a great surprise that she doesn’t turn up, but our filly is in great order so I’m very hopeful.

“She’s right up there alongside Marsha. It’s very difficult to compare the two of them, but those two are my two signature horses and Alpinista is a brilliant mare.”

Andre Fabre’s Raclette (8/1) has won her last two outings, most recently at Group Two level, and is the sole French runner among 12 possibles.

William Haggas’ Lilac Road (10/1), a course and distance winner this season, and Karl Burke’s Poptronic (25/1) complete the British-based challenge.

The rest are all trained in Ireland with Jessica Harrington’s Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon at 7/2.

Paddy Twomey also holds a strong hand. He is responsible for La Petite Coco (6/1), the Pretty Polly winner, and Rosscarbery (14/1), who has won five of her last six.

Albaflora is also 14/1, Aidan O’Brien has Oaks winner Tuesday (4/1), looking to bounce back from her Irish Derby run, History (25/1) and Emily Dickinson (33/1) to choose from while Ger Lyons’ Cairde Go Deo (16/1) has been left in.